Daycare Cost in South Carolina

South Carolina Childcare: Affordable Rates with an ABC Quality System

South Carolina's childcare system is regulated by the SC Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education, which licenses providers across the state's 46 counties. ABC Quality is South Carolina's quality rating and improvement system, rating providers at levels A, B, and C based on classroom environment, teacher-child interactions, and structural standards. South Carolina's First Steps to School Readiness initiative operates in all 46 counties, providing 4K programs and other early childhood services targeted to at-risk children. The state's SC Voucher program provides childcare subsidies for families earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level.

Licensing and Quality Standards

South Carolina requires a 1:5 staff-to-child ratio for infants (under 1 year) and 1:8 for toddlers in licensed centers. ABC Quality programs at the highest levels (A+ and A) must score well on the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) and employ teachers with at least an associate degree in early childhood education. DSS conducts unannounced inspections of all licensed providers at least once annually, with results publicly available through the ABC Quality portal.

Finding Available Care

South Carolina's childcare availability is weakest in rural Lowcountry and Pee Dee region counties like Allendale, McCormick, and Lee, where poverty rates are high and licensed providers are scarce. The Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia metro areas have denser provider networks but still report infant waitlists of 2-4 months. SC First Steps estimates that about half of South Carolina's counties have significant childcare supply gaps, particularly for infants and toddlers.

Cost in Context

South Carolina's average childcare cost of $7,732 per year is approximately 30% below the national average of $11,000, making it one of the more affordable states for families. Costs are highest in Charleston and Greenville counties, where quality-rated infant care can reach $10,000-$12,000 annually, while rural counties often see rates below $6,000. South Carolina's relatively low cost of living contributes to lower childcare rates, though provider wages are correspondingly low — averaging around $12-$13 per hour for childcare workers.